Following the RFI answer received in 2020, Romania has since 2021 expressed interest in acquiring former Norwegian Air Force F-16A/B fighters as part of an effort to strengthen the capabilities of the Romanian Air Force. The final agreement was signed on 4 November following months of negotiations and includes 32 aircraft along with spare parts and support equipment, as well as maintenance and technical training services.
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Norwegian F-16A #672, with a full load of air-to-air missiles (4x Amraam and 2x Sidewinder). Note the ID spotlight just below and in front of the cockpit (Picture source: U.S. Air Force
«The agreement signed by the NDMA will help strengthen the air power of one of our allies, at the same time as it will generate revenues for both Norwegian industry and the Norwegian state,” said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram.
«I am very pleased that we have been able to finalize this agreement, which is Norway’s largest-ever sale of government-owned military equipment. Norwegian F-16s have been among the best maintained of their kind, with high technical standards throughout. I congratulate the negotiation teams of both countries for their efforts. Through this agreement, our F-16s will continue to serve one of our NATO allies for several years to come,” said Ms. Gro Jære, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
Under the contract, all aircraft will undergo necessary maintenance and aircraft modification to M6.5.2 Romanian configuration with US support prior to delivery, currently scheduled for 2023-24. This work will be conducted by the Norwegian industry, which also will provide training and other logistical services that will support the long-term availability of the aircraft.
“When selling the F-16 fleet we have worked to also secure opportunities for Norwegian industry. In this particular case, to supplement our sale of aircraft and equipment, Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services has been chosen as a strategic partner, delivering support, maintenance and training of Romanian technical personnel,” said Ms. Jære.
Facts and figures
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (Luftforsvaret) was one of the four initial European Participating Air Forces and ordered a total of 74 F-16A/B aircraft. Of these, 56 were updated under the MLU program.
In 2019 the Norwegian Ministry of Defence tasked the NDMA with the sale and disposal of the Norwegian F-16 fleet after its retirement from service in a way most beneficial to the Norwegian state.
On 04 November the NDMA signed a contract with Romania for the sale of two squadrons, a total of 32 aircraft, with associated equipment and spare parts. The contract also includes maintenance, aircraft modification and technical training services.
The value of the contract amounts to 388 million Euros.
The first delivery to Romania is currently planned for late 2023, with the second in 2024.
The NDMA has previously signed a contract with Draken International for the sale of up to 12 F-16s, which are to be used under a training services agreement with the US Air Force.
The sale of F-16s and related equipment is tightly regulated, and the current contract will need approval from both Norwegian and US export control authorities.
